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Summary for 3663 1ST AVE / Parcel ID 1824049069 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Midtown Inventory Company Common Name: QFC Maintenance Center
Style: Modern - International Style Neighborhood: Duwamish
Built By: Year Built: 1951
 
Significance

This building dates from 1951 and, at that time, housed the Midtown Inventory Company. It is now occupied by the QFC (Quality Food Centers) Maintenance Center and includes its maintenance sign shop. Early on, from 1955 to about 1965, the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3 M) owned the property. By 1974, Western Union Telegraph’s technical facilities occupied the building and remained until at least 1980.

 
Appearance

This one story building is composed of a lower wing, which was primarily designed for offices, as well as a taller area, topped by bow-string trusses, set directly behind it. From the street, the main façade is primarily that of the lower one-story wing. Roman brick cladding, large awnings and bands of glazing characterize the elevation. The northern portion of the façade presents a long awning set over a loading dock, as well as a recessed entry accessed from a stair, which is set parallel to the façade.  The southern portion of the elevation appears as a more traditional office building. It has an entry topped by a narrower, but generous awning. To each side of the entry are bands of glazing set in aluminum frames, which appear to be original.

Detail for 3663 1ST AVE / Parcel ID 1824049069 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Brick - Roman, Concrete, Metal Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet, Other, Other, Varied roof lines Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition
Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Business Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Concrete - Poured No. of Stories: one
Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Manufacturing/Industry
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Slight
Changes to Original Cladding: Slight
Changes to Windows: Slight
Storefront: Slight
Major Bibliographic References
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
King County Assessor Property Characteristics Report, database at http://www5.metrokc.gov/ --parcel locator

Photo collection for 3663 1ST AVE / Parcel ID 1824049069 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Jul 10, 2010
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